When Does Indiana Switch to the NextGen Bar Exam?
- Exam today
- Administers the legacy UBE today
- First NextGen administration
- July 2028
- July 25–26, 2028 (expected; NCBE has not published this date yet)
- NextGen passing score
- 614
- on the 500–750 scale
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 264
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Indiana still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 264 on the 400-point scale. Its first NextGen administration is July 2028 — July 25–26, 2028 (expected; NCBE has not published this date yet).
That date decides which exam you study for. Candidates sitting in Indiana before July 2028 take the current exam; from July 2028 onward, the NextGen format applies. If your timeline could cross the switch — say a first attempt on the old exam and a retake after — factor in that the two formats reward different preparation.
Indiana has already announced its NextGen passing score: 614 on the 500–750 scale.
Adoption status sourced from NCBE’s decisions-by-jurisdiction page, NCBE’s Indiana listing and its 2026 Comprehensive Guide (Charts 7 and 17), checked on September 20, 2026. Registration windows, fees, and character & fitness requirements are set by the Indiana State Board of Law Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Indiana deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Indiana listing and its 2026 Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, checked on September 20, 2026. Boards change these without notice, so treat the board’s own site as the final word.
Application deadlines
- February 2027 exam (legacy UBE)
- First filing deadline Nov. 15; late filing deadline Nov. 30.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline April 1; late filing deadline April 15. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Repeaters have separate deadlines.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $250
- Attorneys
- $250
- Repeaters
- $250
- Laptop
- fee varies
As listed in NCBE’s 2026 Comprehensive Guide (Chart 7). Where more than one amount appears, the tier depends on filing date or applicant category. NCBE also charges a separate $149 technology fee for the NextGen UBE, paid through the NCBE account.
The late bar exam filing fee is $500.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2026, minimum 614.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 264); the legacy UBE runs in Indiana through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 5 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: TBA.
MPRE: required, minimum score 80.
Indiana State Board of Law Examiners. 251 North Illinois Street, Ste. 550 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: (317) 232-2552 Fax: (317) 233-3960
Preparing for the NextGen format
The NextGen exam tests 8 foundational subjects through three item types — standalone MCQs (including 6-option select-two), integrated question sets, and performance tasks. BARGO covers all three with exam-format practice, honest availability per subject, and a free diagnostic to find your baseline.
Indiana FAQs
Quick answers
When does Indiana first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2028 — the administration runs July 25–26, 2028 (expected; NCBE has not published this date yet). Registration windows are set by the Indiana State Board of Law Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Indiana?
614 on the 500–750 scale.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Indiana?
Yes — Indiana requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Indiana before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Indiana's cut score is 264 on the 400-point scale. The legacy UBE's final administration nationwide is February 2028.
When is the application deadline for the February 2027 bar exam in Indiana?
Nov. 15, with a late filing deadline of Nov. 30, per NCBE's listing for Indiana. The February 2027 sitting in Indiana is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Indiana State Board of Law Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the Indiana bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $250 for first-time takers, $250 for attorneys and $250 for repeaters, plus fee varies to use a laptop. Where more than one amount is listed, the tier depends on filing date or applicant category. Fees change, so the board's own schedule is authoritative.
Does Indiana accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 614. Scores must be no older than 5 years.
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